Torii gate of the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island

Crazy/serene, modern/ancient... Japan is the true land of contrasts!

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April 5th 2008
Top 3 misconceptions I had about Japan: 1. Japanese people speak English - somehow I thought that since heaps of people I know have taught English in Japan that everyone would just be chatting away… not so (at least they had English signs). 2. All of Tokyo is a giant glowing neon lightshow - Ok, Shinjuku is crazy, but other parts were really quiet, peaceful and had heaps of open space. 3. ... read more

Asia » Japan

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more